HALIFAX:
The Indo-Canadian Association of Nova Scotia (INCA) celebrated
India’s Independence Day differently.
Rather than songs,
dance and food that mark the day among diaspora communities, the
Indo-Canadians of Nova Scotia observed this year’s India
Independence Day by highlighting the trauma of the Partition.
Led
by its president Vishal Bhardwaj, the Indo-Canadian Association of
Nova Scotia gathered at the Rockingham United Church in Halifax to
focus on the scars left on people’s psyche by the Partition.
As
a keynote speaker, noted political science professor Jagpal Singh
Tiwana traced the historical development of the national movement,
and how the obstructionist attitude of the Muslim League led Sardar
Patel to reluctantly accept the division of India.
Prof
Tiwana outlined the frustration of the Sikhs about the Partition plan
and how Sir Radcliffe `butchered’ India by mercilessly and
whimsically creating boundary lines. The audience appreciated
Prof Tiwana’s insight into Indian history.
Dr Om Kamra, who
retired as a professor from Dalhousie University in Halifax and
originally comes from Lahore, narrated his personal accounts of the
tragic days of 1947 filled with ethnic hatred, murders, rapes of
innocent women. Urging the Indo Canadians to assimilate into Canadian
society, he, however, cautioned them not to trust politicians
blindly.
Mr Yashwant Rai, a retired principal, spoke about his
life in Gujranwala in Pakistan, and his later struggles to settle in
India. He also touched upon the threat of religious extremism in
India today.
Putting his own interpretation on the Partition,
Dr. S.S. Sodhi, a retired professor from Dalhousie University and a
psychologist, said Pakistan was created to have a buffer state
between India and the then Soviet Union. He also brought in his
psychological perspective to bear on post-traumatic stress disorders
visible in the behaviour of minorities living in India where Hindus
are now make up over 80 percent of the population.
Mr Sunder
Lal Sharma, a retired teacher, also spoke.
Chief guest Lena
Diab, Minister of Immigration of Nova Scotia, applauded the Indian
community for their contribution to the
province.
Vishal Bhardwaj
President
Indo-Canadian Assocition, Halifax
